In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus may comprise a controller to provide compatibility between a load and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer. The controller may be configured to operate a single-stage power converter in a first power mode for a first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the first power mode and operate the single-stage power converter in a second power mode for a second period of time prior to the first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the second power mode, wherein the first power mode and the second power mode occur within a half-line cycle of an electronic transformer secondary signal present on the secondary winding.
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1. An apparatus comprising: a controller to provide compatibility between a load and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer, wherein the load comprises a lamp, and wherein the controller is configured to: operate a single-stage power converter in a first power mode for a first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the first power mode; and operate the single-stage power converter in a second power mode for a second period of time prior to the first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the second power mode, wherein the first power mode and the second power mode occur within a half-line cycle of an electronic transformer secondary signal present on the secondary winding; and predict based on an electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a beginning of oscillation of the electronic transformer; wherein the second period of time begins at approximately the estimated occurrence of the beginning of oscillation.
An apparatus provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer. A controller operates a power converter in two power modes within a half-cycle of the transformer's output. In the first power mode, energy is transferred to the lamp. In the second power mode, which occurs before the first, energy is also transferred to the lamp. The controller predicts when the transformer starts oscillating, using this prediction to time the start of the second power mode.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to: predict based on the electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a high-resistance state of a trailing-edge dimmer coupled to a primary winding of the electronic transformer, wherein the high-resistance state occurs when the trailing-edge dimmer begins phase-cutting an alternating current voltage signal; operate the single-stage power converter such that the first period of time occurs immediately prior to the estimated occurrence of the high-resistance state; and predict based on the electronic transformer secondary signal a control setting of the trailing-edge dimmer; and wherein a cumulative energy transferred during the first period of time and the second period of time is based on the control setting.
The apparatus described previously predicts when a trailing-edge dimmer (connected to the transformer's input) enters a high-resistance state, signifying the start of phase-cutting. The first power mode occurs immediately before this high-resistance state. The controller also predicts the dimmer's control setting (brightness level). The total energy transferred to the lamp during both power modes is based on this control setting.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to predict based on the electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a beginning of oscillation of the electronic transformer; wherein the first period of time begins at approximately the estimated occurrence of the beginning of oscillation.
The apparatus described previously also predicts when the electronic transformer starts oscillating. The first power mode begins approximately at the predicted start of oscillation, improving the timing accuracy of the energy delivery to the lamp according to the dimmer's setting.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to, when the control setting is above a particular value, operate the power converter in an idle mode during a third period of time beginning at an end of the second period of time and prior to the first period of time, such that the power converter is disabled from transferring energy from the secondary winding to the load during the idle mode.
The apparatus described previously includes an idle mode for the power converter. When the dimmer's control setting is above a specific value, the power converter enters an idle mode between the second and first power modes. During the idle mode, no energy is transferred to the lamp. This helps regulate the lamp's brightness at higher dimmer settings.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the controller transfers approximately the same amount of energy from the secondary winding to the load in each half-line cycle of the electronic transformer secondary signal when the control setting is above the particular value.
In the apparatus described previously, when the dimmer control setting is high, the amount of energy transferred to the lamp is consistent across each half-cycle of the transformer's output. This ensures stable and flicker-free operation, particularly at higher brightness levels controlled by the dimmer.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to, when the control setting is above the particular value, operate the power converter in a wait-for-restrike mode immediately after the third period of time and immediately before the first period of time, such that the power converter provides a low input impedance during the wait-for-restrike mode.
The apparatus described previously includes a "wait-for-restrike" mode that occurs after the idle mode and before the first power mode. During this mode, the power converter presents a low input impedance. This helps the transformer restart its oscillation reliably when using a trailing-edge dimmer.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to operate the power converter in a glue mode immediately after the first period of time, such that the power converter provides a low input impedance during the glue mode.
The apparatus described previously incorporates a "glue" mode after the first power mode. In this mode, the power converter provides a low input impedance to help maintain the transformer's oscillation and prevent flickering, particularly with dimmable lamps.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to, when the control setting is above a particular value, sequentially and cyclically operate in the second power mode, the idle mode, the wait-for-restrike mode, the first power mode, and the glue mode.
The apparatus described previously, when the dimmer setting is above a specific value, cycles through these modes: second power mode, idle mode, wait-for-restrike mode, first power mode, and glue mode. This cyclical operation ensures compatibility and stable performance with trailing-edge dimmers.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to: predict based on the electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of two successive restrikes of the electronic transformer; select one of the two successive restrikes as the beginning of oscillation of the electronic transformer; and begin the first period of time at approximately the estimated occurrence of the selected beginning of oscillation.
The apparatus described previously estimates two consecutive restrikes of the electronic transformer based on its output signal. It selects one of these restrikes as the start of oscillation and uses this selection to time the beginning of the first power mode. This selection process improves the robustness of the system by adapting to variations in the transformer's behavior.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to modulate at least one of a duration of the first period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the first period of time such that the cumulative energy transferred during the first period of time and the second period of time is based on the control setting.
The apparatus described previously adjusts the duration or average current of the first power mode. This adjustment ensures that the total energy transferred during the first and second power modes reflects the dimmer's control setting. The modulation enables precise control over lamp brightness across the dimming range.
11. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to modulate at least one of a duration of the second period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the second period of time such that the cumulative energy transferred during the first period of time and the second period of time is based on the control setting.
The apparatus described previously adjusts the duration or average current of the second power mode. This adjustment ensures that the total energy transferred during the first and second power modes accurately reflects the dimmer's control setting, optimizing compatibility and performance across the dimming range.
12. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein, for a given control setting, a duration of the first period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the first period of time are fixed for each period of the electronic transformer secondary signal.
In the apparatus described previously, the duration of the first power mode and the average current delivered during this mode are fixed for each transformer output period, given a specific dimmer setting. This provides a consistent energy transfer profile, ensuring stable lamp operation for a particular dimmer setting.
13. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein, for a given control setting, a duration of the second period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the second period of time are fixed for each period of the electronic transformer secondary signal.
In the apparatus described previously, the duration of the second power mode and the average current delivered during this mode are fixed for each transformer output period, given a specific dimmer setting. This provides a consistent energy transfer profile, ensuring stable lamp operation for a particular dimmer setting.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to operate the power converter in a glue mode immediately after the first period of time, such that the power converter provides a low input impedance during the glue mode.
The apparatus provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer. It includes a "glue" mode after the first power mode. In this mode, the power converter provides a low input impedance to help maintain the transformer's oscillation and prevent flickering, particularly with dimmable lamps.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to, when the control setting is below a particular value, sequentially and cyclically operate in the second power mode, the first power mode, and the glue mode.
The apparatus described previously cycles through these modes when the dimmer setting is below a certain value: second power mode, first power mode, and glue mode. This streamlined operation is suitable for lower dimmer settings, optimizing efficiency and stability.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to, when the control setting is below a particular value, cause the converter to transfer all energy it is capable of transferring from the secondary winding to the load during the first period of time and the second period of time.
In the apparatus described previously, when the dimmer setting is low, the converter transfers all the energy it can from the transformer to the lamp during the first and second power modes. This maximizes light output at low dimmer settings, improving user experience.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a first average current delivered from the power converter to the load during the first period of time and a second average current delivered from the power converter to the load during the second period of time are each higher than a minimum current required to maintain oscillation of the electronic transformer.
In the apparatus that provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer, the average current supplied to the lamp during both power modes is higher than the minimum current required to keep the electronic transformer oscillating. This prevents the transformer from shutting down, ensuring consistent light output.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lamp comprises a light-emitting diode lamp.
In the apparatus that provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer, the lamp is specifically an LED (light-emitting diode) lamp.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lamp further comprises a multifaceted reflector form factor.
In the apparatus that provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer, the lamp has a multifaceted reflector form factor.
20. A method for providing compatibility between a load and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer, wherein the load comprises a lamp, the method comprising: operating a single-stage power converter in a first power mode for a first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the first power mode; operating the single-stage power converter in a second power mode for a second period of time prior to the first period of time, such that the single-stage power converter is enabled to transfer energy from the secondary winding to the load during the second power mode, wherein the first power mode and the second power mode occur within a half-line cycle of an electronic transformer secondary signal present on the secondary winding; and predicting based on an electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a beginning of oscillation of the electronic transformer; wherein the second period of time begins at approximately the estimated occurrence of the beginning of oscillation.
A method provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer. It involves operating a power converter in two power modes within a half-cycle of the transformer's output. Energy is transferred to the lamp in both the first and second modes, with the second occurring before the first. The method also predicts when the transformer starts oscillating, using this prediction to time the start of the second power mode.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising: predicting based on the electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a high-resistance state of a trailing-edge dimmer coupled to a primary winding of the electronic transformer, wherein the high-resistance state occurs when the trailing-edge dimmer begins phase-cutting an alternating current voltage signal; operating the single-stage power converter such that the first period of time occurs immediately prior to the estimated occurrence of the high-resistance state; and predicting based on the electronic transformer secondary signal a control setting of the trailing-edge dimmer; wherein a cumulative energy transferred during the first period of time and the second period of time is based on the control setting.
The method described previously includes predicting when a trailing-edge dimmer (connected to the transformer's input) enters a high-resistance state. The first power mode occurs immediately before this state. The method predicts the dimmer's control setting, and the total energy transferred to the lamp during both power modes is based on this setting.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising predicting based on the electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a beginning of oscillation of the electronic transformer; wherein the first period of time begins at approximately the estimated occurrence of the beginning of oscillation.
The method described previously includes predicting when the electronic transformer starts oscillating. The first power mode begins approximately at the predicted start of oscillation.
23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising, when the control setting is above a particular value, operating the power converter in an idle mode during a third period of time beginning at an end of the second period of time and prior to the first period of time, such that the power converter is disabled from transferring energy from the secondary winding to the load during the idle mode.
The method described previously includes an idle mode for the power converter. When the dimmer's control setting is above a specific value, the power converter enters an idle mode between the second and first power modes where no energy is transferred.
24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising transferring approximately the same amount of energy from the secondary winding to the load in each half-line cycle of the electronic transformer secondary signal when the control setting is above the particular value.
In the method described previously, the amount of energy transferred is kept approximately the same from half-cycle to half-cycle when the dimmer is set above a certain value.
25. The method of claim 23 , further comprising, when the control setting is above the particular value, operating the power converter in a wait-for-restrike mode immediately after the third period of time and immediately before the first period of time, such that the power converter provides a low input impedance during the wait-for-restrike mode.
The method described previously includes a "wait-for-restrike" mode after the idle mode and before the first power mode. During this mode, the power converter presents a low input impedance.
26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising operating the power converter in a glue mode immediately after the first period of time, such that the power converter provides a low input impedance during the glue mode.
The method described previously incorporates a "glue" mode after the first power mode. In this mode, the power converter provides a low input impedance.
27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising, when the control setting is above a particular value, sequentially and cyclically operating in the second power mode, the idle mode, the wait-for-restrike mode, the first power mode, and the glue mode.
The method described previously involves sequentially and cyclically operating in the second power mode, idle mode, wait-for-restrike mode, first power mode, and glue mode when the dimmer setting is above a certain value.
28. The method of claim 25 , further comprising: predicting based on the electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of two successive restrikes of the electronic transformer; selecting one of the two successive restrikes as the beginning of oscillation of the electronic transformer; and beginning the first period of time at approximately the estimated occurrence of the selected beginning of oscillation.
The method described previously estimates two consecutive restrikes of the electronic transformer. It selects one as the start of oscillation and uses this to time the beginning of the first power mode.
29. The method of claim 21 , further comprising modulating at least one of a duration of the first period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the first period of time such that the cumulative energy transferred during the first period of time and the second period of time is based on the control setting.
The method described previously adjusts the duration or average current of the first power mode. This adjustment ensures that the total energy transferred during the first and second power modes accurately reflects the dimmer's control setting.
30. The method of claim 21 , further comprising modulating at least one of a duration of the second period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the second period of time such that the cumulative energy transferred during the first period of time and the second period of time is based on the control setting.
The method described previously adjusts the duration or average current of the second power mode. This ensures that the total energy transferred during the first and second power modes reflects the dimmer's control setting.
31. The method of claim 21 , wherein, for a given control setting, a duration of the first period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the first period of time are fixed for each period of the electronic transformer secondary signal.
In the method described previously, the duration of the first power mode and the average current delivered during this mode are fixed for each transformer output period, given a specific dimmer setting.
32. The method of claim 21 , wherein, for a given control setting, a duration of the second period of time and an average current delivered by the power converter to the load during the second period of time are fixed for each period of the electronic transformer secondary signal.
In the method described previously, the duration of the second power mode and the average current delivered during this mode are fixed for each transformer output period, given a specific dimmer setting.
33. The method of claim 20 , further comprising operating the power converter in a glue mode immediately after the first period of time, such that the power converter provides a low input impedance during the glue mode.
The method involves operating a power converter in a "glue" mode after the first power mode. In this mode, the power converter provides a low input impedance.
34. The method of claim 33 , further comprising, when the control setting is below a particular value, sequentially and cyclically operating in the second power mode, the first power mode, and the glue mode.
The method described previously cycles through these modes when the dimmer setting is below a certain value: second power mode, first power mode, and glue mode.
35. The method of claim 34 , further comprising, when the control setting is below a particular value, causing the power converter to transfer all energy it is capable of transferring from the secondary winding to the load during the first period of time and the second period of time.
In the method described previously, when the dimmer setting is low, the converter transfers all the energy it can from the transformer to the lamp during the first and second power modes.
36. The method of claim 20 , wherein a first average current delivered from the power converter to the load during the first period of time and a second average current delivered from the power converter to the load during the second period of time are each higher than a minimum current required to maintain oscillation of the electronic transformer.
In the method that provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer, the average current supplied to the lamp during both power modes is higher than the minimum current required to keep the electronic transformer oscillating.
37. The method of claim 20 , wherein the lamp comprises a light-emitting diode lamp.
In the method that provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer, the lamp is specifically an LED lamp.
38. The method of claim 20 , wherein the lamp further comprises a multifaceted reflector form factor.
In the method that provides compatibility between a lamp and an electronic transformer, the lamp has a multifaceted reflector form factor.
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April 30, 2014
April 25, 2017
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